1998 Gibson Flying V'98

OK, it's not a 1959 Flying V, the one famous in the hands of Albert King . . . But if it weren't for his love, there's a good chance the Flying V may have languished in the pile of guitar history's epic fails. This one a 40th anniversary tribute to those legendary 58/59 Vs.

It's hard to imagine today, but the launch of the Flying V in 1958 was an utter flop. One of a trio of modernistic guitars (with the Explorer and the prototype-only Moderne), with body shapes for the space age. Seems there weren't that many space-ready guitarists out there at the time - set aside the challenges of playing it sitting down. Only 98 Flying Vs were produced in 1958 - 59, before the model came off the production line. When the first Flying Vs came out in 1958, you could buy one for $247.50, at the time a top-end price comparable with a Les Paul . . . Today, if you wanted one of those 58/59 Flying Vs, you'd be paying at least 1,000 x that amount. There are some very lucky owners out there!

Albert King was one of those lucky owners, born under a bad sign or not. He had a 1959 Flying V, a right-handed one, which, just like Jimi Hendrix after him, he played upside down. He may have been playing the space-age guitar, but he was a bluesman's bluesman through and through. I spent a few happy hours listening again to his playing while pulling this page together - the lightness of touch, the use of space, the feel and electricity of his playing, an influence on blues and rock guitarists to this day. There were times when I just stopped writing, and listened in awe (yes, you wish . . .).

Discontinued in 1959, it took another 7 years before Gibson dusted off the design, even if still with some caution - they produced only 173 between 1966 and 1970, trading the legendary korina wood of those 50s models for mahogany. Which is the wood used on this V'98, with a finish to get as close as you can to the look of the korina original. Plays like a dream, with all the warmth and cut that a pair of ceramic pick-ups are going to give you. And, short of getting a second mortgage, one of the closest plays you'll get to one of those 50s Vs. Bring on the space age!